Common North Indian household practice
Bhai Dooj · Tilak for brothers
A sister’s tilak, aarti and meal for her brother, with the story of Yama and Yamuna.
WHEN
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
The date is for India (Drik Panchang, Gurugram). Outside India it can differ by a day; check your own city.
- Fri 6 NovDhanteras
- Sun 8 NovDiwali · Lakshmi Puja
- Tue 10 NovGovardhan Puja
- Wed 11 NovBhai Dooj
Source: Drik Panchang, Bhai Dooj 2026, location shown as Gurugram (checked 14 October 2026)
Choosing the time
The tilak is usually done in the afternoon, at a time the panchang gives for your city. Check your own city.
Find your city’s tilak time on Drik Panchang ↗Add this date to Google Calendar ↗ · All festival dates
Bhai Dooj falls on the second day (Dvitiya) of the waxing moon in Kartika and is also called Yama Dvitiya; it is Bhau Beej in Maharashtra and Bhai Phonta in Bengal.
AT A GLANCE
What you need
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
What to gather
The tilak plate
After the tilak
THE BOOK
Deepotsav: The Diwali-week pujas at home, Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj
₹99 · Order on WhatsApp, the PDF comes to your phone.
See the book
THE BOOK
Bhai Dooj: The tilak, the aarti and the meal together
₹49 · Order on WhatsApp, the PDF comes to your phone.
See the bookSafety
Keep the aarti lamp away from hair and clothing.
One festival, many traditions
Sisters apply a tilak to their brothers, perform aarti and feed them, and brothers give gifts and promise their care. Cousins celebrate too, and siblings who live far apart often do the tilak on a video call or send it by post. Regional customs differ; follow your family’s way.